Digital Telephone Buying Guide

Digital technology has improved the quality of television, radios and a range of other electronic goods. Now digital technology has arrived in the home telephone market, improving convenience and versatility. Here are some useful hints and tips to consider when choosing a digital home telephone.

How to Choose a Digital Home Telephone: Introduction

Digital telephones consist of one or more handsets connected via wireless to a base unit. This means you can make and receive calls on a handy portable telephone from anywhere within range of the base station, whether you're inside or outside of the house. The base station is physically connected to your home telephone line and the mains.

Until recently, most home telephones used an analogue frequency to transmit and receive calls from the base station. There were drawbacks to the analogue frequency, such as interference, poor reception and a limited range at which you could use the portable handsets away from the base station.

Thanks to digital technology, new digital home telephones are largely free of interference, with a clearer sound. Because of these advances, they can also handle a range of extra features, including the ability to send and receive SMS text messages.

On most models, the base station is able to effortlessly handle up to four telephones. Many households have found that having four telephones, each placed strategically around the home is both convenient and time saving, making those 'Where did I leave the phone'? moments a thing of the past.

Features to Look for When You Buy a Digital Home Telephone

The digital home telephone market is growing, with more styles and features being added as the designs develop and technology improves. Price, function and ease of use all have a bearing when it comes to choosing a digital home telephone, so it's important to understand the features that you might need.

Key features on a digital home telephone to consider include:

Range - This is the distance from which you can use a handset from the base unit. Typically a digital telephone's range can reach up to 300 metres outdoors and 50 metres indoors - enough for most households. Poor weather conditions and the proximity of other objects can reduce their effectiveness.
Battery life - Standby time should be around 100 hours, while talk time should be around 5 hours. NiMh (Nickel Metal Hydride) batteries last longer than standard Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) rechargeable battery types, so look out for these when choosing a phone.
Caller ID - Essential for knowing who is calling, a caller ID puts you in control of managing telephone calls, by displaying the name or number of the person who is calling you.
SMS - For sending and receiving text messages to other digital telephones.
Answer machine - A digital answering machine offers better sound quality and you don't need a tape - it records onto the telephone's built-in memory.
Caller memory - For easy dialling, caller memory stores the names and numbers of previous calls.
GAP compatibility - Look out for base units that are GAP compatible. You will be able to use any GAP compatible handset with it, regardless of make or model.
Channels - Most digital home telephones come with a choice of radio channels, so you can select the best one for minimal interference or picking up on other radio devices.
Video - Enables you to make and receive video calls, via a camera and display screen, as well as photographs.
Out of range indicator - This warns you when the telephone is out of range, so you won't needlessly miss calls.
Ring tones - Make your telephone play a song when it rings! You can buy ring tones online, while many digital home telephones come with a range of fun ring tones to choose from.
Hands-free - With a speakerphone, the hands-free feature enables you to talk and listen without holding the handset.
Internal calls - Call another handset linked to your base station - ideal for larger households or when you're busy in the garden.

Do I Need to Buy an Extended Digital Home Telephone Warranty?

A warranty ensures repairs to or the replacement of items under certain conditions, and is essential when buying things such as home digital telephones. Most digital home telephones will come with a reasonable warranty for around 1 - 2 years. For more expensive models it's worth considering paying for an extended warranty, for extra peace of mind.

It's a good idea to keep a limit on the amount of money you are prepared to spend on a home digital telephone, and not to pay more for any features you won't need. By shopping around, comparing prices between different digital telephone retailers and taking advantage of special offers and discounts, you might get a better model of digital home telephone for your money.